PMK to join Cong-led alliance for TN polls: Ramadoss

Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, Aug 14 (UNI) The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) will join an alliance led by the Congress in Tamil Nadu, according to its Founder-Leader S Ramadoss.

Speaking to mediaapersons at his Thailapuram Residence here, Dr Ramadoss made his party's stand clear after the media sought his reaction to AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa's statement that she was open to an alliance with the Left and the PMK in the forthcoming general elections.

When a reporter wanted to know if the PMK would join the alliance under the Congress if the AIADMK also became a part of it, Dr Ramadoss shot back ''we cannot do anything about it. Our position is clear. We will join an alliance with the Congress in Tamil Nadu.'' On the warning by the Left of the DMK having to choose between the Left Parties and the Congress in DMK-led Demcratic Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu, Dr Ramadoss said ''if they (Left) come out of the DPA, the DMK Government will be reduced to a minority.

''Then elections at the Centre and the State will come together.

However, we will decide on the alliance nearer to the general elections,'' he added.

On the Congress in Tamil Nadu getting Ministerial berths in the State Cabinet, he asked ''when UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is accomodating the DMK in the Union Cabinet, why is Mr Karunanidhi not doing the same for the Congress who forms part of the DMK-led DPA?'' UNI XR-GM AKJ GC1832